The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team discovered last season that the gap between the top squads in Class 4A isn't very large. The Jaguars placed 10th at the state meet with 188 points, the second-lowest total in school history. Only 47 points separated the team from third place. "A year ago, we took part in the closest finishing state meet … [Read more...] about Jaguars return 6 of their top 7 runners, seek podium finish at 4A state meet
Waukee NW tops Dowling, Centennial to win triangular meet at The Legacy
Ankeny Centennial boys' golf coach Rick Fee often tells his players that they need to shoot around a 300 to be competitive against the state's best squads. The Jaguars would have had to shoot even better than that on Wednesday. Waukee Northwest easily won a CIML Conference triangular meet at The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk by shooting a 290. Centennial … [Read more...] about Waukee NW tops Dowling, Centennial to win triangular meet at The Legacy
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 192
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Ted Leverenz about the Ankeny Fanatic all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era). … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 192
Ankeny girls’ cross country team looks to build on success of last year’s squad
Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, the Ankeny girls' cross country team is setting some high expectations once again. The Hawkettes placed sixth in last year's Class 4A state meet with 166 points. It was the second-best performance in program history, surpassed only by a fifth-place finish in 1988. Now, Ankeny could be poised for … [Read more...] about Ankeny girls’ cross country team looks to build on success of last year’s squad
‘We have a really strong nucleus coming back’: Hawks return 4 varsity regulars
Last year, the Ankeny boys' cross country team entered the Class 4A state meet with a goal of a top-10 finish. The Hawks came up short of their goal, placing 13th with 299 points. However, they did finish eight points ahead of crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, defeating the Jaguars for the fourth time in their seven meetings in 2021. Now, Ankeny could … [Read more...] about ‘We have a really strong nucleus coming back’: Hawks return 4 varsity regulars
‘Rough starts’ prove costly as Jaguars place 2nd behind S.E. Polk at Peck Invite
The Ankeny Centennial boys' golf team opened its season on Monday with a second-place finish in the Jesse Peck Invitational at Briarwood Golf Club. Southeast Polk won the nine-team meet with a 303 total. The Jaguars, who had won the title in each of the previous five years, finished with a 309--four strokes better than Indianola. "Like I told the boys … [Read more...] about ‘Rough starts’ prove costly as Jaguars place 2nd behind S.E. Polk at Peck Invite
Bruce, Brecht, Kumm looking to make impact for depleted receiving corps
Perhaps no position group on the Iowa football team has more question marks than the wide receivers. A trio of former Ankeny stars--Arland Bruce IV, Brody Brecht and Jordan Kumm--will try to provide some answers. Bruce, a sophomore, is currently listed at a second-team spot behind senior Nico Ragaini. Brecht, a redshirt freshman, and Kumm, a sophomore … [Read more...] about Bruce, Brecht, Kumm looking to make impact for depleted receiving corps
‘We’re just ready to play some football’: Iowa’s Moss gears up for final season
Throughout most of last fall, Riley Moss thought he was leaving for the National Football League. Iowa's star defensive back had already accomplished about everything that he could at the collegiate level. "I was leaning probably 75 percent of the season to leave, but when you're staring into the barrel of the gun and it's decision time, I really … [Read more...] about ‘We’re just ready to play some football’: Iowa’s Moss gears up for final season
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avin Legg, Ankeny boys’ golf
Senior Avin Legg helped the Ankeny boys' golf team to a 3-3 dual record last year. He placed second among the Hawks with a 41.3 average. Legg shot a 78 to place 12th at the Indianola Invitational. He helped his team to a third-place finish at the tournament. The Hawks will host Southeast Polk in their season opener on Thursday at Otter Creek. Here … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Avin Legg, Ankeny boys’ golf
‘We are looking forward to a great year’: Jaguars enter CIML with high hopes
It won't be easy for Ankeny Centennial boys' golf coach Rick Fee to replace one of the state's top players. Jack Winkel graduated last spring after a stellar career with the Jaguars. He tied for fourth place in last year's Class 4A state meet after helping Centennial to the state meet in each of the previous two seasons. Winkel was named the Iowa PGA … [Read more...] about ‘We are looking forward to a great year’: Jaguars enter CIML with high hopes
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)
Ankeny's success on the football field didn't begin with coach Jerry Pezzetti's arrival in 1969. In the previous four decades, Ankeny racked up 11 undefeated seasons, including five in a row from 1933-37 that resulted in a 44-game winning streak. The Hawks also went unbeaten in 1943, 1946, 1950, 1957, 1959 and 1961. Unlike today, most of the stars of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (pre-Pezzetti era)
‘I hope we can get over that hump’: Ankeny golfers look to qualify for state
After a tremendous two-year run, the Ankeny boys' golf team took a step backwards last season. Now, the Hawks could be poised for another huge campaign in 2022. Several varsity regulars are back from a team that posted a 3-3 record last year in the Hawks' final season in the CIML Iowa Conference. Ankeny is now a member of the nine-team CIML … [Read more...] about ‘I hope we can get over that hump’: Ankeny golfers look to qualify for state
Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills
It turns out that Eva Fulk's softball career isn't over after all. Fulk, who had earlier committed to join the Northern Iowa women's track and field program, has now decided to play softball in college. The Ankeny High School graduate will play for Indian Hills Community College. Indian Hills announced the addition of Fulk to its 2022 recruiting class … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk changes her mind, will now play softball at Indian Hills
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football
Senior quarterback JJ Kohl of the Ankeny football team is considered one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2023. A four-star prospect, he is now the No. 5 quarterback and No. 36 overall nationally in the latest rankings by On3 Recruits. Kohl, an Under Armour All-American, helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record last season. He completed 143-of-237 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football
Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”
The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its all-state teams. Five Ankeny Centennial players were honored, including junior second baseman Damin Churchman, who was one of 16 players named to the 2022 All-State "Super Team". Joey Oakie, Kyle Miller, Nick Severson and Cole Grider also earned all-state honors for the Jaguars, while … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Churchman named to IHSBCA’s All-State “Super Team”
Softball player from ACA enjoys tremendous season for D.M. Christian
Anna Weathers, a freshman at Ankeny Christian Academy, was one of the state's top softball players this season. Playing for Des Moines Christian, Weathers helped the Lions to a 14-17 record. The catcher and third baseman earned first-team all-state, first-team all-district and first-team all-conference honors. Weathers batted .469 with 16 home runs and … [Read more...] about Softball player from ACA enjoys tremendous season for D.M. Christian
Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos
Four players from Ankeny Centennial and two each from Ankeny and Ankeny Christian Academy have received all-state honors from IAbaseball. Centennial sophomore Joey Oakie was named to the Class 4A first team as a utility player. He went 3-3 with a 1.92 ERA as a pitcher while batting .347 with one home run and 21 RBIs. Ankeny placed a pair of players on … [Read more...] about Centennial quartet earns all-state honors along with Ankeny, ACA duos
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Senior pitcher and first baseman Lincoln Lacey helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 25-14 record this season. He went 5-0 on the mound with a 2.01 ERA while batting .360 with four doubles and 16 RBIs. Lacey was a repeat pick to the CIML Iowa Conference second team. He played for the Large Schools West team in the 2022 Iowa High School … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Lincoln Lacey, Ankeny Centennial baseball
Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato
Ankeny defensive end Diego Jackson has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato. Jackson announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I'm excited to announce my commitment to @MinnStFootball!" Jackson tweeted. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior-to-be helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A last … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato
Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association
Ankeny graduate Eva Fulk is about to begin her collegiate track career at the University of Northern Iowa. Her high school softball career didn't end, however, without one more postseason honor. The senior outfielder has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association. Five other players from Ankeny and Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Fulk named to Class 5A all-state first team by Coaches Association